Page 30 of Expressionate
"Yes," I say flatly, taking a seat again. "I'd like to hearthis."
Trish pointedly ignores me, addressing only the doctor. "I was moving things and Ifell."
"I see," Dr. Sato says, setting the clipboard down on the bed beside Trish's leg. "May I take a look?" Trish doesn't have a moment to protest – not that she should – before the doctor's gentle hands are moving her arm forward, pressing certain points over the wrap and then checking theskin.
"And these bruises?" Dr. Satoasks.
My eyes zero in on the yellow and purple splotches of color on her skin peeking out from underneath her wrap. It makes me think of Tax for some reason. I shake my head. Now is not the time to think abouthim.
Trish flushes at the question. "They happened because of thefall."
I narrow my gaze as the doctor presses a few more places and then mumbles something before pulling away. "Well, it does feel a little inflamed," she says. "That’s to be expected; your x-rays showed a few hairlinefractures."
"Is that why it hurts to move it?" Trisha asks quietly. I watch her, noting the way she avoids looking myway.
The doctor nods. "Very likely. I would suggest keeping it immobile and icing it, and you should follow up with your primary care physician. We don't do casting for hairline fractures, so we'll give you a brace. Wait until the swelling goes down – the ice will be good for that – before you put it on." She picks up the clipboard again. "I'll prescribe some light pain medication – it looks like you don't have any prescriptions in your history. Noallergies?"
"No."
The doctor nods in acknowledgment. "Alright then. I would suggest only using the pain meds if you actually needthem."
Trisha moves her head up and down, remaining quiet. When the doctor finishes her instructions about taking it easy and not using the arm – no lifting heavy things or running machinery – sheleaves.
"Alright," I say with a sigh, standing up. "Why don't you go check out and I'll get thecar."
"It's okay if you're busy," she says at the same time. "I can call acab."
I stare at her in silence for a moment. "Go check out," I say slowly. "I'm getting the car. If you are not standing at the entrance in thirty minutes, I'm coming in to getyou."
I turn around and I stride out. My palms are shaking. I'm...angry? The emotion hits my veins and fires my blood as I stomp out of the emergencyroom.
My little, beat up, piece of shit car is parked at the very back of the lot. There aren't that many people in the emergency room considering it's the emergency room. So, the fact that the parking lot is packed is confusing. I pull up to the entrance and sit back to wait. I didn’t expect that she would actually take the full amount of time, but exactly thirty minutes later Trisha walks out of the hospital. She pauses outside the passenger door and through the rolled down window I ask her, "Do you need me to open thedoor?"
She has another hand, and I know she’s stalling because she doesn't want to get in the car. I don’t really blame her. We are about to have a very serious discussion. One I’m sure she is not looking forward to. Trish shakes her head and pulls the door open with her uninjured hand before getting in. I wait to pull away from the hospital until she’sbuckled.
"Where are we going?" sheasks.
"We're going to your place. You're going to pack some clothes, and you're coming to stay withme."
"I don't need to do that," she saysquickly.
I glance over at her and look down at her arms. "Oh? Where'sLawrence?"
She sighs heavily. "He's at work, Love. He's nothome."
"Hmmm." I focus ondriving.
"He didn't hurt me," she saysquietly.
I shake my head. I don't believeit.
"Love," Trish says. "Look at me. I'm not leaving myhouse."
"I'm driving," I reply. "I can't look atyou."
She sighs. "Love, he's at work. How could he have hurtme?"
My lips turn down. That makes sense, but it still feels wrong. I drive through the streets until I come up to the two-bedroom, brick house that my sister now calls home. I park the car and when she reaches for her belt, I stop her. "You're sure?" I asked. "He's never done anything to hurtyou?"
